Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" dramatizes a recurring problem that we've all more than likely encountered: lack of communication within a relationship. Hemingway tells this short story through an ongoing conversation between the two main characters of the story, the American and Jig. The conflict in question is inferred from both context clues and dialogue, and appears to be what most readers agree to be an unplanned pregnancy. The general problem throughout the play is the couple's inability to express their thoughts on the subject, particularly their differing opinions. A clear lack of communication is essentially what drives a wedge between the couple and fuels Hemingway's message that we, as individuals, do not fully communicate our feelings, whether to protect others or to protect ourselves . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay We can begin by considering the American perspective. From superficial assumptions, he is clearly a younger, carefree man, and clearly shows that he greatly enjoys his current lifestyle, particularly his ability to travel and explore new horizons as he pleases. So, he would not be very enthusiastic about becoming a father in the near future. The American makes it clear that he would like Jig to undergo an abortion procedure, but his dialogue doesn't express this opinion to the extent that it should. He expresses his opinion by saying: “It really is a terribly simple operation, Jig. It’s not much of an operation at all…I know you wouldn’t mind, Jig” (Hemingway 203). This brief statement says a lot about the American's character. In an attempt to define the reality of the situation, and to draw a conclusion for each of them, he reiterates twice what the operation “really” entails. By suggesting the simplicity of abortion, he radically downplays the seriousness of the operation. It is clear that his comment is false, and the hasty mention of the procedure entirely disparages this comment. This ultimately gives the impression that the American is misleading on the issue, since he approaches the subject in a blunt manner. If the operation had really been as minor as he implies, he would not need to exaggerate its simplicity, nor would Jig have the emotional response she elicits to his suggestions. The American's position on the issue comes through several times in the story. . In one instance, he responds to Jig's hesitation by stating, "Well, if you don't want to, you don't have to." I wouldn't let you do it if you didn't want to. But I know it’s perfectly simple” (Hemingway 204). American frequently makes passive-aggressive comments towards Jig, perhaps to protect his feelings or to protect his own image. His communication with her can, without a doubt, be interpreted as manipulative. Even though he admits that the decision is Jig's, he still manages to find a way to promote the safety and simplicity of the operation. Although he never clearly expresses what he wants, he keeps bringing up the idea, hoping to convince her. Rather than showing his true colors, he treads lightly when discussing the subject and leaves the decision-making entirely to Jig. The American's statements throughout the play illuminate the theme of miscommunication and how this plays out in the story. Conversely, we can assume that Jig considered keeping the child, buthesitated for fear of what the American would think of her. . She specifically states, “And if I do it, you will be happy and things will be the same and you will love me?” (Hemingway 204). With this statement, it becomes apparent that Jig is extremely concerned about keeping her relationship intact throughout this period. At one point in their conversation, his fear is made clear in his statement "-we could have it all", implying a happy, nonchalant life with each other, "-we could have it all and every day we give that back." no longer impossible” (Hemingway 204). Jig is aware that having this child could very well cause him to lose this opportunity. Thus, she feels the need to protect her relationship from this “hiccup”, for lack of a better term. When the operation begins to come up more than once in their conversation, thanks to the American's persistence, Jig interrupts by saying, "Can't we maybe stop talking?" (Hemingway 205). Although she becomes uncomfortable, the American begins to speak again, even after repeatedly begging him to stop afterward. This blatant disregard for her wishes shows that even though the American feels the conversation is necessary, they are both not listening to each other or communicating the way a couple should. Overall, Jig's opinion throughout the story seems to be overlooked, and as readers this assumption is confirmed when she states, "I feel good." There is nothing wrong with me. I feel good” (Hemingway 206). We don't know if she's "okay" with abortion or staying pregnant. It's clearly a defining moment in the story, but the audience is still left with an inconclusive ending. Jig made a decision at the end of the story, and it's probably not a choice she made for her own well-being, but rather for the relationship. Undoubtedly and indirectly, the literary elements, such as narration, setting and symbolism, also contribute to the development of the overall issue of communication problems in this story. “Hills Like White Elephants” is written from the objective third-person point of view, meaning that the story offers no insight into the characters' thoughts; the plot is told primarily through observations. Having the narration this way doesn't allow the audience to access exactly what each of the characters thinks about the operation. We, as an audience, are forced to work from their dialogue and body language in order to get a sense of the situation the character's head is in, as it relates to the idea of ​​having an abortion. her child. I believe Hemingway used this narrative point of view to make his audience uncomfortable, as well as to mimic the feeling of being an eyewitness to the event; placing its audience more in the shoes of the couple. Additionally, the setting of “Hills Like White Elephants” serves as a symbolic contribution to the communication theme of the play. The train station is representative of the fact that the couple's relationship is at a crossroads. The train station is a stopover between Barcelona and Madrid, and the main characters must decide where to go. In their situation, it is the choice to go to the place of the operation or to stay there; thus, deciding to keep the child. Additionally, the contrast between the white hills and the barren valley depicted may highlight the difference between fertility and sterility, alluding to Jig's choice of faces. The story explains Jig's appreciation for landscapes, as she states: "They look like white elephants." These are beautiful hills. They don't really look like white elephants. I was just talking about the coloring of their skin.